My 2023 Goals (Fun, Career, Fitness and Money!)

Fun Goals

Let’s start out fun! Goals don’t have to always be hard (I tell myself and repeat regularly).

Learn More About Red Wine
(and figure out what decanting actually is)

I love red wine. If it’s not cabernet it’s not for me. Consequently, I want to learn more about what is I love about it other than being able to say, “give me the red and full-bodied” In March I visited my wine-expert friends and did another wine tasting trip (this has become an annual thing since 2021) in Napa and Carmel. I like learning about how wine is made, the way top notes come through and the way tannins… well, how they do their tanning thing. Anyway, I’ve been looking at wine tastings and education across Chicago and it really excites me!

P.S. Does anyone know how to exactly explain to me what decanting is, in like, simple language?

Read
(and keep record of it)

Reading tends to be my ADHD hyper-obsession area. I am either reading three books a week or nothing for months. I went through a huge binge summer 2022 and then picked it up again this winter. One mistake I made last year was not documenting what I read (and because I love thrillers and judge a cover hard – they all blur together) or rating it on something like StoryGraph or an Instagram highlight (which I did start). Just something organized. This year I want to keep more lists of authors I like, ones I don’t and share my monthly readings with you all!

I also have joined a book club (and have yet to be in town while they were meeting) that I am looking forward to. There’s two that I am trying to join to see what the vibe is like and hopefully make some new book friends.

Continue Writing Cards

I have kept up this practice for years now. It’s almost compulsive. But this year I’m also trying to grow my stationary collection as I travel. I love having a card on hand to celebrate anything. You can find me every Sunday sending three notes off into the world, hoping they spread cheer!

Fitness

February 15, 2023 marked one year of being consistent in my fitness and health. Truthfully I am surprised I’ve been able to achieve this level of consistency, but I credit therapy for demonstrating what consistently looks like in my life. Although I made really great strides in 2022, life had its natural ups and downs. This past December – January I had a surprise – I had mono, again (I had it when I was 18)! This derailed my progress and plan for the first quarter of 2023. The goal now is to just get back to being consistent in the gym, hitting my step goal and watching my nutrition. (Nutrition was easier for me last year and I’m finding this year is harder to stay on track.)

All of my goals for 2023 have nothing to do with numbers, but instead focus on increasing my confidence and agility. As a result, my 2023 fitness goals look like:

• Consistency from January – March (ehhhh, not so good, not so bad on this one thus far)
• Increase my agility and flexibility (I’m looking at getting into a hot yoga class weekly in addition to visiting my sports doctor.)
• Wearing a two-piece (publicly) this summer
• Workout in a sports bra crop top
• Be ready for new jeans this fall

Travel

I love traveling in the fall and this year I’m hoping to make it to two countries. Not only is fall just beautiful, it tends to be at the tail-end of tourist season so prices are lower. September-November I hope to have the chance to add two passport stamps. Ireland is always on my list to revisit so if you ever want a travel partner… you know where to find me.

So far I’ve been on six trips in 2023 (mix of work/personal) and it’s only the first few months! However, that will slow down. Summer I always try to stay in Chicago. Summertime chi is over in the blink of an eye. I don’t want to miss a second of it.

This year is the year I finally get the suitcase(s) I’ve had my eye on for years. A dreamy green. After over 250,000 air miles, my Costco-budget luggage has given her all. She’s ready for retirement. Just a few more bills to pay (ugh, reality) and then they’re coming home to me.

Money

Everyone wants to talk about everyone else’s money but not their own. Me included. I’ve said it before but I want to better understand how to make my money work for me. I do the usual 401k, savings, have some stock, etc. but I don’t know if it’s enough. And I think the embarrassment of not understanding how money works discourages many. Myself included. So rather than just, “I make money and then it goes into accounts” I want to understand how to help ease anxiety I feel daily, wondering if I am doing enough.

2023 money goals:

• Open an HYSA (high-yield savings account)
• Understand HSA benefits (and plan for ’24 enrollment this October)
• Value my money more (stop going to experiences that cost but don’t bring joy/benefit)

Career

Outside of the goals my leader and I have set, I’ve got some soft skill development I’ve noticed gaps in. I’m really trying to make this a year that I take the time to hone these and observe from other leaders, a lot. Everything from mannerisms to strategy, I’m trying to absorb.

• Find a mentor and regularly meet with them
• Join a board or voluntarily consult for an organization
• Develop my teaching/consulting muscle (for my own expertise areas and also people-leader skills I need to work on)
• A perennial note, slow down

Before I know it, it’ll be be time for a mid-year check-in. And at the current rate I’m going, mid-year will be in October and then the year is over. But I’ve always loved looking back at what I said I wanted vs what actually happened. If you’re on the same path of trying to achieve 2023 goals, cheers to us! Let’s talk about yours (send me a DM or email)!